Egypt to deliver Mubarak verdict in September

Cairo - An Egyptian court said it will deliver its verdict in the murder trial of Hosni Mubarak on 27 September, in a session on Wednesday in which the ousted strongman passionately defended his 30-year rule.

Mubarak and seven security aides are accused of involvement in the deaths of hundreds of protesters during the 18-day uprising that toppled him in 2011. A previous sentence of life in prison was overturned on technical grounds.

The 86-year-old attended the court in a wheel chair, dressed in a blue uniform signifying his conviction on corruption charges earlier this week.

In his first address to the court, Mubarak, after replacing his trademark shades with reading glasses, read out a long speech defending his record, spanning his career as a military officer to his final days in power in February 2011.

"This may be my last speech", he told the court.

"As my life approaches its end, thank God I have a good conscience, and I am satisfied I spent it in defence of Egypt."
AFP